If I won’t prescribe/refill medications on the phone, it’s not because I’m mean. I don’t prescribe antibiotics without seeing a patient because: 1) most kids don’t need them, 2) antibiotics have side effects, and 3) some are sick enough that they need other things as well. (1/x)
I don’t refill asthma meds over the phone because if you’re calling, it’s either time for the next visit to see if we need to make changes, or your child is currently having an asthma flare that might need additional treatment. (2/x)
I won’t prescribe Tamiflu over the phone because: 1) it’s not a great medicine, 2) it can have serious side effects, 3) your child may not have the flu, and 4) some kids with flu are sick enough that they need additional evaluation/treatment. (3/x)
There are lots of examples. But, parents, please don’t get frustrated that your pediatrician won’t just call in whatever you think your child needs. We aren’t vending machines. It’s our job to evaluate children and decide what treatments are warranted. (4/x)
By treating without appropriate evaluation, we wouldn’t be taking good care of your child. Thanks for understanding. (5/5)
